January 24 - February 2, 2003
Price: $1299

Join women leaders from the specialty coffee industry to learn more about causes of the crisis and discuss possible solutions. Visit women's cooperatives, shade and organic coffee farms and projects that are helping farmers survive the crisis. Enjoy yoga and a spa visit to unwind and relax after adventurous full days.

Arrival Day: Friday, January 24 Managua Arrival in Managua, welcome dinner and orientation. Optional City Tour for early arrivals.

Day 1: Saturday, January 25 Jinotega
Morning transfer to Jinotega. Meeting with women cooperative leaders of Sopexca Cooperative and visit the dry mill and cupping lab.

Day 2: Sunday, January 26 Jinotega
Visit communities of Sopexca to understand family farming, and processing in Nicaragua.

Day 3: Monday, January 27 Jinotega
Visit coffee communities to learn about projects impacting women and children of the community.

Day 4: Tuesday, January 28 Granada
Morning travel to the colonial town of Granada. Afternoon city tour and boat ride in scenic Lake Nicaragua.

Day 5: Wednesday, January 29 Monteverde
Morning travel to Costa Rica and Monteverde. Visit small farms on the hillsides on the way. Stop at San Luis Cooperative to see wet mill processing, and meet cooperative members. Late afternoon arrival to the lovely town of Monteverde.

Day 6: Thursday, January 30 Monteverde
Early morning hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - home of the resplendent Quetzal. Afternoon yoga class and dinner with local coop members.

Day 7: Friday, January 31 Fortuna
Full day at Coopeldos. Visit their ISO 9000 and 14000 certified wet mill and organic farms. Discuss with farmers the impact of organic farming and Fair Trade. See a state-of-the-art processing facility for coffee waste. Late transfer to La Fortuna.

Day 7: Saturday, February 1 Fortuna
Spend the at the Tabacon Resort and Spa, with thermal pools fed by the nearby Arenal (active!) volcano. Spend the day relaxing in the hot springs and getting spa treatments or touring the volcano. Debriefing session and farewell dinner with the group.

Day 7: Sunday, February 2 Departures
Early morning return to San Jose for afternoon flight departures. (Note please make flight arrangements no earlier that 12:00 pm)